Where does “lecherous” come from?
Lecherous derives from Middle English lecherous, from Old French lecherous and lecherie, from Old French lecher meaning to lick, ultimately from Proto-Germanic likkōną and Proto-Indo-European leyǵʰ-.
lecherous (English): Given to excessive sexual activity and debauchery
Definitions
- Given to excessive sexual activity and debauchery
Ancestry of “lecherous”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Old French | lecherous | — |
| 2 | Old French | licherie | gluttony, sensuality, lewdness, lechery |
| 3 | Old French | lechier | — |
| 4 | Vulgar Latin | *liccāre | — |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | likkōn | to lick |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | lekaną | To leak; seep; drip |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | leg- | to leak |
Words derived from “lecherous”